iPhone Won't Be Focus of Apple's September Event, Thoughts on an iPhone Upgrade "Super Cycle" in 2017
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- iPhone Won't Be Focus of Apple's September Event
- Thoughts on an iPhone Upgrade "Super Cycle" in 2017
We kick off today's email with a discussion of the WSJ's latest report on the features planned for the 2016 and 2017 iPhones. There were three items from the WSJ's report that jumped out at me. The email then turns specifically to what these iPhone rumors imply about potential iPhone sales in FY16, FY17, and FY18. After circling back to my FY16 and FY17 iPhone sales estimate, I share a few thoughts on the idea that the 2017 iPhone will unleash an upgrade "super cycle."
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
iMessage for Android: Don't Hold Your Breath, HBO Head Talks Video Streaming
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- iMessage for Android: Don't Hold Your Breath
- HBO Head Talks Video Streaming
We begin today's email with a deep dive into the topic of Apple bringing iMessage to Android. After going over both sides to the debate, we take a closer look at how Apple's WWDC keynote last week gave me greater confidence that we won't likely see iMessage on Android anytime soon. Keeping with an Apple services theme, we then turn to video streaming. HBO chief Richard Plepler sat down for an interview with the WSJ focused on TV's future and the strategy for winning at video streaming. With Apple's video streaming ambitions in mind, we go over a few of my takeaways from Plepler's interview.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Schiller and Federighi Speak Post-WWDC, iPhone 6 and 6 Plus "Banned" in Beijing, BMW's Electric Car Strategy Isn't Working
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Schiller and Federighi Speak Post-WWDC
- iPhone 6 and 6 Plus "Banned" in Beijing
- BMW's Electric Car Strategy Isn't Working
We kick off today's email by discussing the appearance of Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi (Apple SVPs) on John Gruber's podcast, "The Talk Show." I had a number of observations about some of their commentary. The email then turns to news out of China that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have been "banned" in Beijing due to patent infringement. We go near-term and long-term implications from this news and why I think this particular iPhone 6 story is extra odd. We conclude with a look at BMW and why the BMW i3 is failing to catch in the marketplace. There are difficult lessons that every legacy auto maker will likely end up facing when it comes to selling electric cars.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple Music Is Succeeding, Apple's Content Strategy Is Becoming Clearer, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Music Is Succeeding
- Apple's Content Strategy Is Becoming Clearer
- Thursday Q&A
We kick off today's email by discussing the latest Apple Music subscriber numbers and what it means for Apple's music streaming service. The email then turns to interesting comments from Apple Music executives, including Eddy Cue and Jimmy Iovine about music streaming and Apple's broader content strategy. Apple's game plan is becoming clearer and Beats is going to play a very important role. We conclude with Thursday Q&A (questions from Above Avalon members). This week's question:
- How do I archive, catalog and maintain articles, notes, and other reference materials to track Apple, Tesla, and other companies and industries?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
WWDC 2016: Detailed Thoughts and Observations
Today's story:
- WWDC 2016: Detailed Thoughts and Observations
While yesterday's daily update was focused on the major themes from WWDC, today's update includes more granular thoughts and observations from Apple's WWDC keynote.
This story is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read this story and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
WWDC 2016: Major Themes
Today's daily update is focused on reviewing Apple's WWDC keynote. Along with a big picture overall view, the email covers four major themes from Apple's presentation:
- WWDC 2016: The Big Picture
- Attending the Keynote
- watchOS 3: Pressing the Reset Button
- iOS 10: Swiping to Something Big Next Year
- iMessage: Embracing Snapchat Themes
Tomorrow's daily update will include additional thoughts and observations on Apple's WWDC keynote.
The full daily update is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read this daily update and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
WWDC Goodwill, Amazon to Launch Standalone Music Streaming Service
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- WWDC Goodwill
- Amazon to Launch Standalone Music Streaming Service
Greetings from San Francisco. I am in the city to attend Apple's WWDC keynote. We begin today's email by going over one of the more interesting strategic implications related to last week's App Store changes. The email then turns to news of Amazon getting ready to launch a standalone music streaming service. With Apple expected to announce "Apple Music 2.0" later today at its WWDC keynote, I share a few thoughts on how such an Amazon offering would impact the music streaming space. Tomorrow's daily update will be dedicated to the WWDC keynote.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple Announces App Store Changes, WWDC Preview
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Announces App Store Changes
- WWDC Preview
We begin today's email by going over the big changes coming to the App Store. We go over the announcement in detail, in addition to discussing my thoughts on each of the major changes. The email then turns to what I'm expecting from Apple's developer conference next week. I set the scene for Apple's announcements with additional thoughts and observations on what we should expect with iOS, watchOS, tvOS, macOS, Services, and the prospects of new hardware at WWDC. We conclude with my one wild card item for WWDC 2016.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
A Capital Efficient Tesla, Bendable Samsung Smartphone Screens
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- A Capital Efficient Tesla
- Bendable Samsung Smartphone Screens
We begin today's email by going over the idea that Tesla is a capital efficient automaker. After discussing Baron Capital chairman and CEO Ron Baron's claim that Tesla stock could increase by 20x from current levels, we take a closer look at why it is wrong to assume auto manufacturing will not experience significant change going forward. This thesis has major implications on Apple and Project Titan. The email then turns to a Bloomberg report indicating Samsung is thinking of selling bendable smartphone screens in 2017. I had a few thoughts on Samsung's strategy and the broader concept of bendable screens.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Didi and Grab Leaders Speak at Code Conference, Didi Discusses Apple and the Future, Coach Developing Apple Watch Bands
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Didi and Grab Leaders Speak at Code Conference
- Didi Discusses Apple and the Future
- Coach Developing Apple Watch Bands
We kick off today's email by discussing my thoughts and observations from Didi president Jean Liu's and Grab co-founder and CEO Anthony Tan's presentation at Recode's Code conference. Given Apple's recent investment in Didi and the company's pivot into transportation, there is much value in listening to two leaders of the ridesharing industry. In particular, we focus on Jean Liu's comments about Apple, the differences between the U.S. and Chinese auto industries, and where ridesharing is headed in the future. The email concludes with a look at Coach developing Apple Watch bands. We discuss the broader implication Coach Watch bands will have on the Apple Watch ecosystem.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Elon Musk's Problem with Apple, Wireless Smart Earphones 101, Samsung Gear IconX Wireless Earphones
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Elon Musk's Problem with Apple
- Wireless Smart Earphones 101
- Samsung Gear IconX Wireless Earphones
We begin today's email by taking a closer look at how Elon Musk has a problem with Apple. His comments have become weirder and stranger over time and there is evidence that Musk may have a problem with Apple along philosophical lines. The email then shifts over to wireless smart earphones. After going over my overall view and opinion on the very young product category, we discuss Samsung becoming the first large manufacturer to enter the wireless earphone industry with the Gear IconX. In addition, we discuss the implications wireless smart earphones will have on Apple and the company's product roadmap.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
A Smarter iPhone, Uber and Didi Raising Billions of Dollars, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- A Smarter iPhone
- Uber and Didi Raising Billions of Dollars
- Thursday Q&A
We kick off today's email by discussing a WSJ article by tech columnist Joanna Stern concerning the iPhone becoming an "empty shell" as Apple apps lose out to competing services. I share my perspective on the current services landscape and how Apple views the situation. The email then turns to news that Uber raised $3.5 billion as Chinese ridesharing company Didi plans an even larger capital raise. I have a number of observations about these developments and their broader impact on the ridesharing industry. We conclude with Thursday Q&A (questions from Above Avalon members). This week's questions:
- Why would Apple need to buy stakes in ridesharing companies when there wasn't a need to invest in mobile carriers when launching the iPhone?
- Is Google trying to be more like Snapchat with Instant Apps considering their ephemeral nature?
- Do you think Elon Musk would sell Tesla?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple M&A Is Evolving, Ridesharing's Limiting Factor, Thoughts on a Three-Year iPhone Product Cycle
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple M&A Is Evolving
- Ridesharing's Limiting Factor
- Thoughts on a Three-Year iPhone Product Cycle
We begin today's email by continuing the discussion from yesterday's Above Avalon article, "Apple M&A Is Entering a New Phase." Specifically, we look at how Apple M&A will evolve in the transportation industry. The email then shifts over to Uber signing a new $1 billion deal to finance subprime auto loans. We discuss ridesharing's limiting factor and the implications on a future Apple Car, including financing options for such a product. We conclude with a few of my thoughts on reports that Apple is moving to a three-year iPhone product cycle.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Jawbone's Last Stand, Declining Developer Interest in Apple Watch
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Jawbone's Last Stand
- Declining Developer Interest in Apple Watch
We kick off today's email by taking a closer look at two recent developments concerning Jawbone's speaker business and UP fitness trackers. The company appears to be taking a last stand when it comes to wrist wearables. We discuss the news and implications it will have on the broader wrist wearable space. We then turn to a polarizing Business Insider article on Apple developers losing interest in Apple Watch. We take a deep dive into what may be going on and a few observations that I had concerning the factors driving lackluster developer interest in the Watch. There are a few things to keep an eye on regarding watchOS heading into WWDC.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Tim Cook Discusses Apple's 10-Year Outlook, Apple Researching Electric Car Charging, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Tim Cook Discusses Apple's 10-Year Outlook
- Apple Researching Electric Car Charging
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email by going over Tim Cook's interview with Neelie Kroes in the Netherlands earlier this week. A number of Cook's comments caught my attention. We then turn to news that Apple is researching electric car charging. While the subject may not be shocking given Apple's intention to sell an electric car, we use the opportunity to begin discussing some of the larger issues concerning electric car charging infrastructure. The email concludes with Thursday Q&A (questions from Above Avalon members). This week's question:
- "Should Apple buy Netflix?"
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.